Malaysian Rivers & Me

"OH MY FUCKING GOD! THAT LOOKED AWESOME! SIGN ME UP PLEASE!!" I remember about a year ago, a friend showed me his white water rafting pictures and I practically latched myself onto him, begging him to take me there. My swearing did not start then, but my romantic shenanigans with the rivers in Malaysia began.

My first experience was with Selangor River. It is a class 4.5 river about an hour away from Kuala Lumpur. The water in the river come from the Selangor dam and water level is highly dependent on the weather. Truth be told, I am still trying to work out the logic behind what happens if it is raining season, what happens if not a single drop of water escape from the sky and what happens if they release the water from the dam or not. Ah well, I have figured a while ago that none of these really matter to me, because when you are on a raft, down them rapids, whether the water level is excellent or so-so, you will scream. Scream like women giving birth, laugh like a mad cow, or be like me, a complete twat on a raft, goofty but adorable, at least that's what I always thought (with a gigantic smile much like that on the Joker's face..). 

Me started screaming, my friend wearing the white behind me on the left row

I was being clever and lifted myself while we went down a rapid, my friend was stupid.

I sat my ass on his feet and completely squashed him! Shabam!! 

Over the course of a year, I have returned to Selangor rivers, endless time. Bringing bunch after bunch of expats to experience and enjoy the fun that I so adore. The first question I get asked has always been, "How many times now that you have been to this river?". I always smile and tell them, "More than I can remember, but I never forget the thrill." There are many outfits (this is strictly an american term, so a friend of mine insisting on using, even though I have been trying to implant the word - COMPANY - into his head, failed miserably) that operates on Selangor River. One that I highly recommend is Pierose. If you have been to any of white water rafting trips led by Pierose, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Pie gives funny safety intro while he was suppose to be serious. They have guides who are mainly Orang Asli (Native Malays) and they are usually very good. Occasionally you will also find mischievous ones. The ones who wanted so badly to flip your raft.

The first batch of Expats I took to white water rafting at Selangor River

Someone fell out of the raft, Selangor river

This raft failed to go through the rapid, Selangor river

We were already in the water, might as well take a picture!

Final floating down the river, enjoying the cool water on Selangor River

Much though Selangor River is very popular among rafters in Malaysia, but this river has "moods". From October to perhaps March if you sign up rafting on this river, there is a high chance that you will be switched over to raft at Slim River instead, which is close by and equally fun but short. So here comes the fact, the ones that I know. With the natural formation of the Selangor River (what a heaps of bullocks!), it will be extremely dangerous to raft there when the water level is low (this is probably true). Anyway, just take the advise of those experienced guys. Slim river is approximately 6km with rapids from Grade 1 - Grade 3. Nonetheless, this river is not to be underestimated. With a high level of water, there are quite a few rapids that would seriously tear your heart out. Unfortunately none of the actions were captured on camera. 

Scaling down the adrenaline, I took a group of crazy folks to raft at Kampar river combining it with some abseiling fun. Kampar river has only rapids rating of 1 - 3. Unlike Slim River, Kampar river require less skills, and more comical throwing-each-and-everyone-out-of-the-raft actions. For me, it was a splendid day spent with good friends and laughed our silly faces off. There is also a popular spot where some somersault stunt can be performed, all at your own risk. So, to make the trip fun and worthwhile, these are some examples of what they might make you do.

Group of friends white water rafting at Kampar River, Malaysia

White water rafting at Kampar river, being dragged off the raft into the water

Jumping off a tree branch on Kampar river

Abseiling after white water rafting on Kampar river

Next stop, we take a look at the river over in East Malaysia. A famous spot which normally would be included in any of the Mount Kinabalu climb itinerary is rafting at Padas River. This river has a rapid class of 1 - 3 but this is no ordinary river for the likes of the ones in West Malaysia. You cannot simply jump in, or throw someone out of the raft just for fun. Unless the person is a good swimmer, otherwise you might as well get ready to attend his funeral. My friend loves this river. He takes all his visitors to KK out here to spend the day. The train journey to the place is well worth it though, if you ask me. Perhaps minus the local-mother-slapping-young-kids-to-shut-them-up scenarios. He especially loves the body rafting part a.k.a jumping in and go with the current. I went on a few parts with him, one of which  I misunderstood the guide and almost got myself killed. Lucky me, the guide was a fucking splendid swimmer. My advise is, get three nods from the guide before you jump in. 

Check out the rapid on Padas River, Malaysia

With all three popular rivers in west Malaysia and Padas river out of the way, I was scratching my head for a bit about what else I can do to keep my inner desire of adrenaline pumping! I spoke to a couple of people and they all suggested white water kayaking. I have seen a group done it while we were rafting, and OMG, one of the guys was so "Tarzan" like, in a good way! A bit of a shame I did not have a camera with me, or I would wow you with it. Anyway!! Back to the topic. So, there I was googling "crazy adventure Malaysia", I came across a website that is introducing riverboarding to Malaysia! Dang!!!

Riverboarding at Kampar River, learning how to paddle

Riverboarding downstream action at Kampar river

Oh my, that was me riverboarding down Kampar river!

Danny steading himself on the board!

The riverboarding crew at Kampar river

Riverboarding is called sledging in New Zealand or hydrospeed in Europe. What we Malaysian called it is, get-on-the-board-and-prepare-to-pose-for-the-camera! Heh!! Anyway, let me put it in layman term. What you will be given is a very tight wetsuit, one that will surely makes you look ridiculous, a helmet and a special-made board. The guide will then teach you proper kicking techniques and the rest is up to you. You will rest on top of the board that will only support your upper body, while you lower body will be dangling in the water. The trick, from what I have learnt, is to stay balance and smile. If you care too much about your kicks, you are gonna loose the balance and flip, which then increase the chance of your body making out with them rocks and come home like a bruised little puppy. Rafting on Kampar river was easy peasy, but riverboarding is a completely different story. Some pics that we have over that riverboarding trip at Kampar River. 

From a year ago with the OH MY FUCKING GOD remark to now, if you ask me, I am still gonna give you the OH MY FUCKING GOD face when it comes to fun at the rivers. Be it white water rafting, kayaking or riverboarding, I have had great experience and great joy soaking in the water and making a tit of myself. You haven't tried it yet? Well, get out of your shell and get on with it. You will not regret it.